Wakefield 2026 Budget to Protect Lakes

Total request for Invasive Species Expendable Trust Fund is $35,425.

Of that Balch Lake has asked for $7500;
Belleau $10,000;
AWWA for Lake Host Programs $17,925;

These funds help with lake access points workers overseeing boats being watched for invasive species.

Those lake host programs break down as:  Great East $5550; Lovell $5000; Pine River $3000; and Province $4375.

Warrant Article 23 to appropriate $10,000 for boat launch repair.

AWWA $40,000. This $40,000 amount was removed in 2023 when town went to default budget.

Total of $85,425 would represent approximately .04% of Wakefield’s total budget yet the R-2 Zone that encompasses the lakes waterfront and some of its watershed deliver 66% of the total real estate tax base and 1/3rd of ALL of Wakefield’s income.

Remember the vast majority of these tax payers do not live here year-round and therefore do not tax our services/school that would equate to us year-round residents.